Motives of Imperialism – Primary Source Questions
Racism and Corruption of Science
The Origin of Species (1859), Charles Darwin
1. Explain the ideas of Charles Darwin regarding “natural selection” and
evolution.
2. How do Darwin’s theories as contained in The Origin of Species
demonstrate a scientific approach to the development of nature?
3. How would you explain the term “Survival of the fittest”.
The Descent of Man
1. What is Darwin’s approach to human development?
2. Why are Darwinist theories considered by some to be dangerous and
irreligious?
Our Country (1885) ~ Josia Strong
1. According to Strong, what is the “new stage of history”?
2. According to Strong, what will save the inferior race?
3. According to Strong, what 2 things is God preparing the people for?
The Standpoint of Science (1900) ~ Karl Pearson
1. How does Pearson view the “red man”?
2. What does Pearson thinks happens when two different races coexist on
the same land? Give examples.
3. How does Pearson view suffering?
War and Civilization (1895) ~ Charles Morris
1. What was the purpose of war?
2. What was the purpose of new ideas?
3. What is the problem with an isolated nation?
The Backward Peoples (1920) ~ Sir Harry Johnston
1. What factors does Johnston take into account when compiling his list?
2. What is the “chief and obvious distinction” between people?
3. What will happen if these inferior people are left alone?
For God and Country
The Mandate System: Britain’s Duty in Egypt (1890) ~ Joseph Chamberlain
1. According to Chamberlain, how did the British justify imperialism?
2. What were the motives the British had for expansion in Egypt?
3. What was Egypt’s condition before and after England got there?
4. Why does Chamberlain feel that the Egyptians could not be self
governing?
5. Does Chamberlain feel that the Egyptians want to stand alone?
6. What would happen if England abandoned Egypt?
7. According to Chamberlain how is a nation like an individual?
American Imperialism in the Philippines (1900) ~ Albert J. Beveridge
1. Why does Beveridge equate the people of the Philippines to children?
2. What opportunity does he feel is in the Orient for the United States?
3. What does Beveridge think of the Spanish?
4. Why does Beveridge bring up the Declaration of Independence?
5. Why does he claim that God made Americans adept at government?
6. What is the “Divine Mission” of the United States?
The White Man’s Burden (1899) ~ Rudyard Kipling
1. According to Kipling what IS the White Man’s burden?
2. How does Kipling’s poem complement Beveridge’s statements?
The Economic Argument
A Natural Inclination to Submit to a Higher Authority (1893) ~ Sir
Frederick Dealtry Lugard
1. What caused the Scramble for Africa?
2. Why did the British take East Africa?
3. How did the British colonial rule differ from other European nation’s rule?
Power and Pride
Germany’s Place in the Sun (1901) ~ Kaiser Wilhelm II
1. What happens when the German’s look at what is “distant and great”?
Manifest Destiny: The Annexation of Texas (1845) ~ John Louis O’Sullivan
1. Why does O’Sullivan feel that is was “natural” for Texas to be added to
the union?
2. Explain the concept of Manifest Destiny?
3. What is “Providence”? And how is it used to justify expansion into Indian
lands and the annexation of Texas?
4.What other arguments does O’Sullivan use for justification?
Poor, Wicked Nineteenth Century, Farewell! (1900) ~ Wilfrid Scawen Blunt
1. Does Blunt think that the European nations are acting like modern nations?
2. Give examples of how the British, Americans, Belgians, Italians, and
French are behaving?
3. Why is happy to see the turn of the century?
The Battle Hymn of the Republic ( Brought Down to Date) ~ Mark Twain
1. What point was Mark Twain trying to make with his rewording of the
anthem?
2. How does Twain’s poem and Kipling’s poem compare? Are they both honest
and truthful?